FBI serves warrant on senator in investigation of stock sales linked to coronavirus

[Suburban Warrior]

Source: L.A. Times

WASHINGTON —

Federal agents seized a cellphone belonging to a prominent Republican senator on Wednesday night as part of the Justice Department’s investigation into controversial stock trades he made as the coronavirus first struck the U.S., a law enforcement official said.

Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, turned over his phone to agents after they served a search warrant on the lawmaker at his residence in the Washington area, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a law enforcement action.

The seizure represents a significant escalation in the investigation into whether Burr violated a law preventing members of Congress from trading on insider information they have gleaned from their official work.

Burr sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13, just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply. Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-05-13/fbi-serves-warrant-on-senator-stock-investigation

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. Wow. Good to see. . . . nt

[DENVERPOPS]

9. GREAT to see

but what about that female senator who came out of the meeting and traded millions immediately.
Her husband is Chairman of the NYSE for crap's sake.........

[pazzyanne]

25. My question as well. nt

[lastlib]

26. Kelly Loeffler should be soiling her panties right about now.....

[DENVERPOPS]

36. Not really

Even if she pleads guilty, and that would be like when hell freezes over, Trump and the RepubliCON Senators who all committed the exact same felonies that she did, would throw out charges against her just like Flynn, etc

Bend Over America, WASF

[musette_sf]

2. K&R

[Leghorn21]

3. Finally a reason to...almost smile

Have yourself a shitty little night, BURR

[lostnfound]

5. I don't think so. Intended to replace him with a more trumpism successor

Republicans would make list of three republican replacements, surely all terrible.
Democratic governor must select from the three.

[Leghorn21]

6. Well dammit, glad I didn't break into a full grin, lost!!!

waaannnhhh

[mtngirl47]

7. I get it--I'm from NC and I don't like the way we have to replace him

However---I'm sick of these people getting away with these crimes. Lock him up.

[Traildogbob]

8. Good ole Carolina

Meadows, Tillis, Burr, absentee ballot theft. They were not kidding when they said North Carolina was no longer a Democracy from Gerry meandering. A real political al shit hole state. May take dozens of Rev Barbers To get near normal morals.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. Please save your disparaging remarks for actual sh!tholes.

We actually elected a Democratic Governor and he's doing a laudable job.

Plus, more Democrats vote than any other affiliation in NC. Soon the gerrymandering will be useless to the Republicans.

Stay encouraged, Traildogbob.

❤ lmsp

[Bernardo de La Paz]

31. +1 for accentuating positives. Big huzzah for ending gerrymandering. . . . nt

[Traildogbob]

34. I live in western N.C.

Yes Cooper has been decent. It is Republican Congress trying night and day to destroy him. The 3 I listed are the worst of the worst. Their support disgusts me. We outvote them, but they keep stealing their positions. Trump flags everywhere here. From the poor to the extreme rich summer only dwellers. Gun shops, churches and dollar stores every quarter mile in every direction. Jesus signs on every gun shop, Saturation of Fox in public places. Even hospitals. Born and raised in N.C. Returned after service. 30 years as college faculty, state employee. Party mattered, and especially to my Grads that mostly went to county, state, and fed employment in Natmural Resources. I have had to be extremely politically aware all my life. Starting with war after high school. I love these mountains and natural beauty, but it is an every day fight to protect it from Republican thieves and crooks like Burr, Tillis and Meadows. I have fought my whole adult life. Starting with right to vote if you are drafted to die at 18. The daily attack on voting in N.C. is sickening to me and many in the state.

[Takket]

4. i can't believe Barr let that happen.............

[MFGsunny]

11. You were reading my mind. Especially as snip quoted below from OP link says.

Such a warrant being served on a sitting U.S. senator would require approval from the highest ranks of the Justice Department and is a step that would not be taken lightly. Kerri Kupec, a Justice Department spokeswoman, declined to comment.

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-05-13/fbi-serves-warrant-on-senator-stock-investigation

Maybe dis-Barr ain't into Burr, or Burr ain't into dis-Barr.

[littlemissmartypants]

19. It gets Barr out of the spotlight. nt

[MFGsunny]

32. This! n/t

[47of74]

10. Hey has anyone hear from Senator Widestance lately?

I don't quite know why but this made me think of him.

[Marie Marie]

12. Don't the Republicans want to get rid of Burr because at some time,

he didn't kiss Trump's ass or something, something..? I can't keep track anymore but didn't Drunk Gaetz call for an investigation of Burr for standing up to Trump at some point? Could be revenge time?

[littlemissmartypants]

17. He's retiring. nt

[Marie Marie]

21. Oh OK - any exit will do and I'm sure that there will be someone even worse to take his seat.

[Dennis Donovan]

13. Senator Loeffler, after hearing the news about the FBI raid, seen leaving her DC office:

[FarPoint]

15. Is that from...

Night of the Living Dead?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

28. Yes, the real one. It was on TV last weekend. I watched the end. NT

[FarPoint]

30. I love that movie...

I grew-up in the same general neighborhood where they made this movie...Pittsburgh Pa. area...

[DesertRat]

16. and a few minutes later...

[C Moon]

14. Oh, a Republican. Let him go now and save yourself the time.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. Lock him up!!!!!

[scarletwoman]

22. This is payback for the Senate Intelligence Committee report that contradicts Trump's

"Obamagate" conspiracy theory.

William Barr's DOJ has no interest in punishing wrongdoing, this is strictly revenge.

Burr no doubt effed up with doing those stock trades, but that would have simply gone unnoted and unpunished if not for that Senate Intel Committee report.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/us/politics/russian-interference-senate-intelligence-report.html

Republican-Led Review Backs Intelligence Findings on Russian Interference

A new Senate report undercuts claims by President Trump and his allies that Obama-era officials sought to undermine him while investigating Russia’s 2016 election meddling.

Published April 21, 2020 ~ Updated April 22, 2020

WASHINGTON — For years, President Trump has derided the assessment by American intelligence officials that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to assist his candidacy, dismissing it without evidence as the work of a “deep state” out to undermine his victory.

But on Tuesday, a long-awaited Senate review led by members of Mr. Trump’s own party effectively undercut those allegations. A three-year review by the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee unanimously found that the intelligence community assessment, pinning blame on Russia and outlining its goals to undercut American democracy, was fundamentally sound and untainted by politics.

“The I.C.A. reflects strong tradecraft, sound analytical reasoning and proper justification of disagreement in the one analytical line where it occurred,” said Senator Richard M. Burr, Republican of North Carolina and the panel’s chairman. “The committee found no reason to dispute the intelligence community’s conclusions.”

The endorsement by Mr. Burr’s committee comes at a key moment for the intelligence agencies. Not only has Mr. Trump moved in recent months to install a loyalist in the top spy position, but Attorney General William P. Barr has also blessed a broad review of possible misconduct by investigators examining the Trump campaign’s contacts with Russia, apparently including work by intelligence officials.

(more at link)

[Gothmog]

23. This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

24. From Barbara McQuade

Link to tweet

[mahatmakanejeeves]

27. Welcome to DU. Good thread. Burr's brother-in-law sold stock too.

Wed May 6, 2020: On the Same Day Sen. Richard Burr Dumped Stock, So Did His Brother-in-Law. Then the Market Crashed.

[Maxheader]

29. Violated a law?!

Wingers are above the law..That's what the 28%ers like in theys leaders..rebelliousness .

Thumbing their noses at law. Without regard ..

[bucolic_frolic]

33. Nothing beats a great pair of LEGS!

OMG there could be others - his cell will have calls to his broker, and perhaps other Republicans, or perhaps the broker has calls to other Republicans. It takes elite brokers to manage money for people at the top of their profession.
_____________________________________________________

Link to tweet

Tom Joseph
@TomJChicago
Seizing Sen Burr’s cell phone is being speculated as retaliation to get him off the Intel Comm & stop the CI report from coming out.

Not so fast:
-His trades were blatant
-A judge signed off
-His cell may show the FBI fellow Rs he tipped off

This could get out of control for Rs

Link to tweet

Alison Greene
@GrassrootsSpeak
The FBI seized Sen. Richard Burr’s cellphone as part of a Justice Department investigation into stock trades he made just before the novel coronavirus sent stock prices plunging. The Justice Department is examining Burr’s communications with his broker.

[Stuart G]

35. Senator Burr (& others) thinks he (they are) is above the law..Guess what? He/they isn't,aren't

...This is against the law...:

Burr sold a significant percentage of his stock portfolio in 33 different transactions on Feb. 13, just as his committee was receiving daily coronavirus briefings and a week before the stock market declined sharply. Much of the stock was invested in businesses that in subsequent weeks were hit hard by the plunging market.


Here is Burr breaking the law:

The seizure represents a significant escalation in the investigation into whether Burr violated a law preventing members of Congress from trading on insider information they have gleaned from their official work.

.................very important................................................................

I guess the FBI doesn't think Burr is above the law...

..............................................................................................................

.... I wonder what a jury will decide? (after all the facts are presented in a trial)..And there will be a trial. (I guess a conviction)..Do you think ex senator Burr will like the inside of a federal jail cell?...just asking, I know the answer.

[AntiFascist]

37. Since N. Carolina is one of the states where the governor can appoint someone to replace a Senator..

is it possible that a Democrat could be appointed in case Burr gets expelled or resigns?